Special Education
Certificate
Massachusetts is facing a shortage of teachers licensed in moderate disabilities. Northeastern's Graduate Certificate in Special Education gives you the tools to fill this need and make a difference.
Program overview
Increase your impact
Northeastern’s Graduate Certificate in Special Education allows teachers with an initial Massachusetts teaching license to get endorsed for a license in moderate disabilities in grades pre-K through eight or five through 12. After graduation, you’ll be qualified to support students with moderate disabilities. By broadening the range of students with whom you’re able to work, you’ll also open the door to new job opportunities across the state.
Courses for this program take place primarily online, giving you the flexibility to complete most of your coursework when and where it’s most convenient for you.
Northeastern’s Graduate Certificate in Special Education allows teachers with an initial Massachusetts teaching license to get endorsed for a license in moderate disabilities in grades pre-K through eight or five through 12. After graduation, you’ll be qualified to support students with moderate disabilities. By broadening the range of students with whom you’re able to work, you’ll also open the door to new job opportunities across the state.
Courses for this program take place primarily online, giving you the flexibility to complete most of your coursework when and where it’s most convenient for you.
Earning your certificate in special education can help you discover new career pathways in Massachusetts.
- Massachusetts ranks as the best state in which to teach, with some of the top-ranked schools and salaries in the country (U.S. News & World Report, 2025).
- The staffing retention rate for teachers in Massachusetts was nearly 90% from 2024 to 2025, demonstrating the higher-than-average number of teachers who stay in the same role year to year (Massachusetts Department of Education, 2025).
- Teaching jobs are expected to grow about 5% by 2031, with those who have specializations expected to be in greatest demand (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025).
Admissions
Apply to the program
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
Our admissions process operates on a rolling basis; however, we do recommend the application guidelines below to ensure you can begin during your desired start term:
Domestic Application Guidelines
International Application Guidelines*
*International deadlines are only applicable if the program is F1 compliant.
Online application
Professional resumé
Unofficial undergraduate transcripts; official transcripts required at the time of admission
The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
English language proficiency proof. Students for whom English is not their primary language must submit one of the following:
Official associate or bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited college or university in the U.S., stating degree conferral and date
TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, or NU Global Exam scores
Other materials may be required
Program objectives
Prepare for success
Earning a graduate certificate in special education allows you to quickly increase your career opportunities while supporting students of varying abilities.
Start your path toward a license in moderate disabilities for students in grades pre-K through eight or grade five through 12.
Learn comprehensive, subject-based knowledge through coursework and practical field experiences.
Deepen your expertise to better serve a diverse range of students with moderate disabilities in your classroom.
Help fill the shortage of moderate disabilities-licensed teachers in Massachusetts through your own professional development.
Connect with us
Want more information?
We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team.
Degree building
Stack your certificate
Earning a graduate certificate is a fast and affordable way to acquire specialized skills while building toward your master’s degree. Upon completion of this certificate program, you may be able to apply your credits to an eligible master’s program, saving time and money on your degree.
Some of the eligible master’s programs for this certificate include:
Contact an enrollment counselor to learn more about eligibility requirements.
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Cost of attendance
Tuition and financial aid
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$18,240Tuition in USD
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2025-2026 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.
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